Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-12
MOUNT VERNON.
What an Englishman Says About the
Home and Tomb Of " ashin4tOms

washington Correspondence London Times.
The 1rst view Of Mount Vernon Is obtained when
the steamboat leaves Fort Washington and crosses
the river diagonally toward the landing four
miles below. The mansion house Is In fun view,
standing among the trees upon the top Of blufY
rising about two hundred feet above the river. As
We approach the steamboat bell IL tolled this be-
ting the universal custom on nearing or passing
washingtonss tomb. 1t had tts origin In the rev.
srencc Of q british onicss, CUmnotore Gordon, who
during ths invasion OF the American capitalin Au-
gust, 1914 sailed past Mount vernon, and as a
marx Of respect for the dead hero had the bell OF
his ship, The Sea Horse, tolled-
The .Hunting Creek EState- was originally a
domain Of about eight thousand acres, and
qaestned it to Lawrence washington. who, having
served In the spanish wars under Admiral
Vernon, named II Mount Vernon in his honor.
George Washington was born In l732, In West
moreland County, farther down the Potomac and
when boy lived near Fredericksburg, on the
Mopnt Vernon from lawrence and after bs seae
the estate passed by bequest TO his nephew, Bush
rod Washington. subsequently descending toother
efforts TO have washington's remains removed 10
the crypt under the r0tQnda OF the Capitol which
had been Originally constructed for their recep-
Ing that II was his earnest desire 10 rest at Mount
yernon- The remains were. however, removed
about nfty years ago 10 q more secure tomb than
the place OF original interment.
The steamboat makes It's landing at Washing
tons wharf, which has been rebuilt, and projects
short distance into the river at the foot OF the
blum. This was the place where he formerly
loaded his barges with flour ground at his own
mil shipping the most OF IL from Alexandria to
the wesi Indies. road from the wharf leads up
aravine cut diagonally In the face OF the blum d.
rectly 70 wasa1pgtons tomb. and alongside the
that were brought from Napoleon's grave az ST.
Helena Wasningtons will directed that his tomb
pes Hr eSs o. wTS a M + PLAN
mont and double iron gates Above is the fnscrip-
ton on marble slab: within this enclosure rest
the remains OF General George Washington"
The vault Is about IL feet square and the inte-
For Is pistniy seen through the gates IL mas upon
the noor two large stone cofins that on the right
hand con aiming Washington and that on the ieft
his widow Martina, VINO survived him over a year
In q closed vault at the rear are the remains OF
numerous relatives while IN front Of the tomb are
monuments erected TO several OF them. No monu-
ment marks the hero, and carved upon his comm Is
the American coat-oi-arms with the single word
.Washington-" Near the tomb young and 81 ur,iy
Dom pedro, emperor Of brazil Almost In 'front.' Of q
the tomb, In q grassy mound, standing alone there
was planted a tree In 1850 by the Prince OF wales
when on MS American visit IL has died but the
spot Is marked and it would be graceful act were
her malestys government TO take some measure
20 renew this marx Of respect 70 the memory OF
The orfsfnal tomb, where the great mans re-
mains were laid for over thirty years alter bis
death. Is out ON the brow OF the blun and not far
away If0 ,91 6a% esn IN p aa seS from
antedatiDg Washington, and bearing the words
"Washington Family" which had been carried
away but was discovered not long ago and re-
stored l. Is plain granite block about three
feet long. This was tue tomb, then containing
the remains that Lafayatte visited In 1s24 being
escorted BY q military guard from Alexandria 10
Mount vernon, wnen he paid homage 10 the ashes
Of the dead amid salyos Of cannon reyerberating
across the broad Potomac. It IS round-topped
and slightly elevated vault built Ike an oven, and
- now IN process OF restoration. Inc road passes
u and ascending farther 20 the top OF the blum,
reaches the mansion, which stands In q command
ing position, with grand view over tne river and
Sne opposite MaTyland shore.
The mansion Is a long wooden house, with an
.npte porch facing the river. II Is constructed
satn sesere simplicity, Is two stories high, and
SoneAIhs eighteen rooms, with q small suruoouDt-
.as eepoia Ior lookout place. The central por-
soa Is lne original house built by Lawrence
washington, who called it his ssyilla" and after
.Au oeofse Washington extended &c by placing
ts9AAke square buildings wingS one at each
eno. anu Nheh THIS Improvement was added he
gave u the more dgnined title OF the mansion.